Fair will go on

With about a month to go before the opening of the 2011 Park County Fair, its manager has resigned. However, fair board members say the fair, which begins July 26, will go on without a hitch.

Manager Steve Scott submitted a letter of resignation to the Park County Fair board at its June 14 meeting. In a written statement to the Tribune, Scott said he resigned “because of a difference in philosophy of how a fairgrounds and manager should operate."

His resignation is effective June 28.

"Really, he (Scott) has done a very good job over the years and it’s unfortunate that he’s leaving, but he left the board with a very organized fair for this year,” said Park County Commissioner Dave Burke, who is the commission's liaison to the fair board.

In an open letter to Park County residents from Fair Board President Steve Martin, dated Tuesday, the board thanked Scott for his work as fair manager.

“We, the Park County Fair Board, extend to Steve our appreciation for his service and wish him fulfillment and success in his future endeavors,” Martin wrote.

The board met in a special meeting Tuesday night to discuss how to move forward. The plan is to hire some temporary help during the month of July, through the fair, to handle Scott's absence. The Park County Buildings and Grounds Department also is available to help.

A replacement for Scott will not be hired until after the fair.

"There was no way we could do anything right now," Martin said Wednesday.

He said the fair will go as scheduled.

"Everybody's stepping up to the plate," said Martin. "It'll go."

In his written statement responding to a Tribune request for comment on his resignation, Scott wished "the fair and all the exhibitors, concessionaires and fairgrounds the best" and thanked them for their support of the fairgrounds.

"I am going to miss it all, and I wish all of you continued success, and most of all, have fun at the fair. I always did," said Scott, who is also a Powell City Councilman.

Park County Fair board member Dan Hadden also resigned his post on June 14. He said his primary reason for resigning was a doctor's recommendation to focus on his health.

"It just happened that everything hit at the same time," Hadden said. He served seven and a half years on the fair board and had two years left on his term.

"I wasn't going to try to tackle it for two more years," Hadden said, saying his resignation would get some "new blood" on the board.

In their open letter, the board also thanked Hadden for his service.